So many conflicting emotions chased through him, but the strongest was the need that still burned bright inside him for this woman.
“I need to get back.” Her words had no strength.
“I would not have controlled you.” He leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers. “And I never want you to be anyone but who you want to be with me.”
He kissed her again; she tasted of peppermint. Sliding his free arm around her waist, he pulled her into his body.
“I missed you.” He breathed the words against her lips. “I ached for you.”
She made a small choking sound, which he interpreted to mean she’d missed him also. He wanted answers, but not now. Now he wanted to simply savor her.
His lips took hers in a slow kiss. Where one finished, another started. Before, she’d been tentative and shy in her responses. It wasn’t like that now.
She gave up any resistance and pressed her body to his. Her free arm wrapped around his neck, her lush curves flush against his chest. She felt so right, familiar, and yet at the same time different.
“Tell me why you left?” His eyes were inches from hers, reading the desire that matched his in the blue depths.
“I cannot. Please, Nathan, just kiss me. Touch me, and let us just have this moment.”
He demanded, and she gave. It was a kiss, and yet so much more. He seemed unable to pull back, and indeed, the hand at his neck urged him to take more. Small sounds came from her lovely lips as he slid his fingers up her side.
“Don’t let me go, Nathan.” Her words were tinged with desperation.
He put only a few inches between them, but enough for him to stroke and caress his fingers over the exposed skin of her neck above her gown. Blood thundered through his veins; need hardened his body as he brushed feather soft touches over the smooth skin.
Her sigh ignited him. He slid his fingers inside the bodice, and stroked the rise of one full breast. Her breathing grew rapid, body arching toward him.
Running his eyes over her, he thought it was the most erotic sight he’d ever seen. Beth’s cheeks were flushed with arousal, her lips wet from his kisses.
“I’ve always wanted you, Beth. That has never stopped.”
The eyes she raised to his were darkened with desire.
“Then take me.”
That shocked him.
“Now, Nathan. Make me yours.”
“This is not the place—”
He shuddered as she stroked a hand down his chest.
“I will not take you in a shed,” he rasped.
The hand slid lower, and she touched the top of his arousal through his breeches.
“Dear Christ.” The words hissed from his lips. “Where did you learn to do something like that?”
“A woman called Bess taught me,” she whispered, leaning closer so her lips brushed his.
“Who?” Nathan demanded. “And why?”
She slid her tongue over her top lip, and his eyes crossed.
“Dear Christ.” How was seeing the tip of that small pink tongue so erotic?
She was innocent, he knew that, but she had him harder in seconds than he’d ever been before. Nathan was in serious danger of forgetting where he was and of lifting her skirts and sliding inside her tight, wet heat.
